When working on complex molecular systems, visual clarity is vital. Whether you’re zooming in on a protein-ligand interaction or looking at the overall structure of a macromolecular complex, being able to shift perspectives quickly makes a difference. Fortunately, SAMSON offers a practical way to do this: using multiple cameras within the same document.
For molecular modelers juggling different spatial scales or structural perspectives, relying on a single camera can be limiting. Repositioning the view every time you want to switch focus wastes time and interrupts workflow. Instead, creating and managing multiple cameras within a document lets you toggle between predefined viewpoints instantly. Here’s how you can use this feature effectively in SAMSON.
Creating a New Camera
To add a new camera, go to the menu bar and select Visualization > Camera. This adds a new camera to your document with a default starting position. You can also use the shortcut:
- Ctrl + Shift + C on Windows/Linux
- Cmd + Shift + C on macOS
Once added, the new camera appears in your Document view. You can rename it for clarity—such as “Side View” or “Zoom on Active Site”—and customize its position.
Switching Between Cameras
Only one camera can be active at a time. To switch from one to another:
- Double-click the camera in the Document view, or
- Right-click it and choose Set as active camera.
This feature is particularly useful when preparing presentations or revisiting specific aspects of the same model. You can jump between zoomed-in interactions and large-scale overviews without needing to reposition manually every time.
Camera Context Menu
SAMSON also lets you fine-tune your viewing experience via the camera’s context menu. Right-clicking on a camera in the Document view gives you several options:
- Center view on a selection or the entire document
- Enable inertia for smoother movement
- Toggle orthographic projection, useful for crystal structures
- Move the camera interactively
Editing Camera Properties
To dig deeper into camera customization, select a camera and open the Inspector. Here you can manage position vectors, projection types, inertia settings, and more.
Practical Tip
Use multiple cameras as spatial bookmarks in your modeling project. Set one for docking analysis, another for overall topology, and maybe one for surface visualization. This approach not only improves navigation but also helps maintain focus during collaborative work or presentation settings.
To learn more about cameras in SAMSON, visit the official documentation page: https://documentation.samson-connect.net/users/latest/camera/
SAMSON and all SAMSON Extensions are free for non-commercial use. You can get SAMSON at https://www.samson-connect.net.